Woman wakes up months after being struck in head with rock in Queens

ByLucy Yang WABC logo

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Grandma bashed in head with rock in Queens wakes up from coma

There are signs of hope for a family in Queens, whose loved one just emerged from a coma after she was bashed in the head with a rock more than two months ago. Lucy Yang spoke exclusively with the victim's husband.

ELMHURST, Queens (WABC) -- There are signs of hope for a family in Queens, whose loved one just emerged from a coma after she was bashed in the head with a rock more than two months ago.

Her deep brown eyes are open, and she can move her right arm and right leg.

The family calls it nothing short of a miracle for Guiying Ma.

The victim's husband spoke exclusively to Eyewitness News reporter Lucy Yang.

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Upon leaving the store, Suffolk County police say the woman saw a woman filming her.

"That's the first time we know she was awake," Ma's husband Zanxin Gao said. "I'm happy. I'm so happy."

The once outgoing, friendly and kind 61-year-old grandmother was sweeping her Jackson Heights sidewalk after Thanksgiving last year when someone bashed her on the head with a rock.

She has since been in a coma at Elmhurst Hospital. Her devoted husband was not allowed at her bedside during omicron, but on Monday, when visitors were cleared again, he received the greatest surprise of all

"In the very beginning, she was sleeping. I called her name. She responded to me," Gao said. "I asked her to move your hand. She moved her hand. Move your leg. She moved her leg."

Ma cannot move her left side, but every baby step forward is a huge milestone.

They have a long and expensive recovery ahead. A GoFundMe account has since been set up by their friend.